Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

Screenwise Verdict

Among Us is the game that exploded during pandemic lockdowns and got everyone saying 'sus' for a solid year. It's clever, genuinely fun with the right group, and teaches legitimate skills around deduction and persuasion.

The catch: it's a game about lying and murder. Yes, it's cartoonish—the death animations are more silly than scary—but you're still stabbing your friends and venting through air ducts to avoid detection. For kids 10+, this is fine; they get that it's a game. For younger kids, it depends on temperament and whether they can separate game deception from real-world honesty.

The bigger safety issue is public lobbies. Strangers, unmoderated chat, potential for inappropriate language and behavior—keep younger players in private games with known friends only. With that setup, it's a solid party game that creates memorable moments.

Culturally, it's past its peak (2020-2021 was the height), but it's still played and cross-platform support means it's easy to get a group together. Worth having in the rotation for family game nights or friend hangouts, just not in the wild west of public matchmaking.

Age Fit

ESRB says 10+, Common Sense Media says 12+, and both are reasonable depending on maturity. Younger kids (8-10) can handle the cartoonish violence but need private lobbies with friends only—no public games where strangers can chat. Best for 10-14 year olds who enjoy social deduction and have a friend group to play with.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

62

Social deduction game centered on deception and murder, but presented in cartoonish, non-graphic style. Encourages strategic thinking and communication, but core mechanic is lying to friends and eliminating crewmates. ESRB E10+ rating with Fantasy Violence and Mild Blood. Death animations are cartoonish enough to be 'almost funny' per IMDb parent guide, but still involves stabbing, shooting, and disposing of bodies.

Imaginative

78

Clever social deduction mechanics that require creative problem-solving, strategic deception, and deductive reasoning. Players must construct narratives, read social cues, and think on their feet. The spaceship setting and impostor premise spark engagement, though the gameplay loop itself is repetitive. Strong emergent storytelling through player interactions.

Safe

58

ESRB E10+ with Fantasy Violence and Mild Blood. Web search confirms 'users interact' is true—players can speak to strangers in public lobbies, which is a significant concern. No in-game purchases according to our data, though Common Sense Media parent reviews mention in-app purchases for cosmetics. Death animations include stabbing, shooting, neck-snapping—cartoonish but graphic. Reddit consensus: fine with friends/family, NOT safe in public lobbies for young kids due to unmoderated player interactions and mature language.

Enriching

71

Develops critical thinking, logical deduction, communication skills, and reading social cues. Players learn to construct arguments, evaluate evidence, and persuade others. Teaches pattern recognition and strategic planning. However, core mechanic is deception—kids practice lying convincingly, which has mixed developmental value. Best enrichment comes from playing with known groups where debriefing and reflection can happen.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Teaches deductive reasoning, strategic thinking, and how to construct persuasive arguments under pressure
Best played with friends over voice chat—creates memorable social moments and genuine laughter
Low barrier to entry with cross-platform play means the whole family can join from different devices
Cartoonish art style keeps violence light despite murder-mystery premise
Develops social skills like reading body language (or text cues) and detecting inconsistencies in stories

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What to Watch For

Public lobbies expose kids to strangers and potential inappropriate language—stick to private games with known friends
Core mechanic is lying and deception, which some families may find problematic for younger kids still learning honesty
Death animations include stabbing, shooting, neck-snapping—cartoonish but still depicts murder
In-app purchases for cosmetic items (hats, skins, pets) can add up if not monitored
Cultural relevance peaked in 2020-2021; still played but not the phenomenon it was

Conversation Starters

"When you're the Impostor, how does it feel to lie to your friends? Is it different because it's just a game?"
"What strategies do you use to figure out who's lying? How can you tell when someone's story doesn't add up?"
"Have you ever been voted out even though you were innocent? How did that feel, and is it similar to being blamed for something in real life?"
"What makes someone a good Crewmate versus a good Impostor? Are they different skills?"
"Do you think this game helps you get better at noticing when people aren't telling the truth?"

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